Monday, May 26, 2014

This one is hard to write, folks. Fresh off yesterday's Beckett no-hitter, Ryu took this one into the 8th without allowing a base runner. How improbable would it be to have a perfect game the day after a no-hitter, we all wondered. Ryu had retired the first 21 batters and seemed unstoppable. Sadly, he grooved a high changeup to Tommy Frazier, who doubled to left and broke up the magic.

While it lasted, it was indeed magic. The world was watching (except for those of us in greater Los Angeles) and the buzz was growing on social media. But because of a bad cold, Vinny wasn't able to call the game; SoSG Nomo-san speculated that the Baseball Gods had called the whole thing off because Vin was unavailable. But as SoSG readers have allowed over the years, "We'll take it." The legit double was better than a b.s. little nubber past first or a painful error involving a dropped ball between the shortstop and left fielder.

It got scary after that. As so often happens after a pitcher takes it this far, Ryu allowed another hit and then clearly started to fade. Donnie got him out of there. Brian Wilson proceeded to suck-diddly-uck, which threatened quickly to turn what could have been an historic night into a shit sundae. Ultimately, Kenley Jansen came in to get the final four outs and preserve the win.

Props to Ryu, props to a great defense behind him tonight, and as I noted in the GT post, let's use these great pitching outings as a springboard for the rest of the season. Tomorrow night will be a proper time to honor Ryu on his bobblehead night, even if he wasn't quite able to close the deal.